Muted Group Theory - Research Paper Example

Muted Group Theory The study of communication theory asks that for a moment we step back and look at the field. The study of communication theory forces us to consider what communication is, where it occurs in relatively unique contexts, and how it affects people. Each of us has maps, theories about communication. The trick is in making proper use of the theory, which involves recognizing the brilliant partial insight into reality that is provided by any theory’s special perspective. Theory is needed because no matter how long and hard people examine any object of inquiry-communication in this case-it will not reveal itself. Only by developing and testing hypotheses and weighing the lines of arguments advanced by different theories can the secrets of human communication be unlocked. Each theory will increase understanding of communication and give insights into how to communicate more effectively in our personal and professional lives. Muted Group Theory The muted group theory posits that women and men with patriarchal, capitalist societies tend to form two distinct circles of experience and interpretation, one overlapping the other. The masculine circle converges with the norms of society, providing a masculine signature and overriding the feminine circle. Thus, the female circle is neither invisible nor acknowledged-eventually, only a small part or rather, reflections of it are exposed. Consequently, women’s experiences are felt only as “black holes” or reminiscences of society. Women’s on perspectives are restricted by this enforced tunnel vision, and their voices are not publicly articulated. Women, then, are left with two choices. They can attempt to translate their point of view into a masculine mode or try to detach alternate modes of communication. Both options are problematic. For one, the translation process can give rise to communication difficulties and an ensuing lack of communication satisfaction. There are also structural barriers to the development of alternate communication modes, as men, whether conscious or not, will perpetuate their power by preventing other voices from being heard and acknowledged. As a result, women’s voices are muted. Working as a business analyst and meeting with business people who are usually male had been a challenging experience for me. Finding the right words , being articulate enough to sound straightforward like a man is just not of the female character that it posed a real challenge for someone working in a male dominated profession. There have been times I felt that my opinions were just solicited with my male colleagues just acting civilly in my presence, but not really listening and understanding what I was telling. I had to understand at those times that there are differences in the understanding and interpretations of men and women of the spoken words. That women usually tend to consider not only the literal meaning of what is said but also interpret meanings beneath it. Also, being with men made me somehow ‘lose’ my feminine identity because i had to act and sound like them for me to be accepted as a part of ‘their’ group. Note, however, that muting is not the same as silencing and that muting is only successful only when the non-dominant group (in this case, women) ceases to find and develop alternative communication styles to express their experiences and code their messages. When this happens, only traces are left of the original, a kind of palimpsest. Feminist communication scholars have documented the ways in which “masculine” language both inhibits and infects women’s forms of expression and how women are forced to double-code their messages through different rhetorical means. According to the muted group theory, women face a dilemma arising from the fact that their experiences and means of communication are restricted by their marginalization in society and their relative isolation within the private sphere-deemed not only irrelevant to public discourse but also less effective than paid labor and consequently less valuable. Muted group theory provides a rather generalized perspective on women’s oppression: (All) women are muted, and (All) men mute. This theory replaces Marxist class-related concerns with gender-related concerns, and although this perspective puts gender at the focus of the analysis, the category of sex- women as a group and men as a group-is maintained. Women are left with two options. Either they can refine the ambiguous art of coding and translating, and aspiring to be bilingual, or they can go backward, delving into layers of communication competencies previously acquired and abandoned. However, muted group theory is also relevant to other marginalized groups, and it may be applied to the multiple layers and intersections of muting according to class, race/ethnicity, and sexuality. Cognitive Dissonance Theory Dissonance refers to the relationship that exists between pairs of elements. When these elements do not fit together, they are said to be in dissonant relations. These elements refer to cognition that constitutes the things that a person knows about himself, his behaviors, and surroundings. People experience cognitive dissonance or a state of mental distress when they find themselves behaving in ways that don’t fit what they believe or espousing beliefs or opinions that do not match with other beliefs or opinions they hold. The aversive nature of dissonance drives us to change either our discrepant behavior or belief to avoid the unpleasant feeling that it generates. Furthermore, the more important the issue at stake and the greater conflict between behavior and belief, the stronger the dissonance experienced. Cognitive dissonance theory also underlies attempt to convince ourselves that we’ve done the right thing. Making choices often causes dissonance. This is especially true if a rejected alternative seems better than the one selected. To minimize such dissonance, we tend to emphasize positive aspects of what we choose, while downgrading the alternatives. The power of the cognitive dissonance theory recognizes that some conditions are more resistant to change than others, and that behavioral commitment is a potent source of such resistance. Cognitive dissonance is useful, not only because it explains how this state of mind emerges, but it also predicts what you will do once you enter a state of cognitive dissonance. The cognitive dissonance theory is a proven tool for analyzing the contrast between two or more varying and incompatible conditions-and predicting what behaviors might emerge from an individual’s dissonance. This theory can be illustrated through an experience i had with a colleague when i worked as in accounting and finance. I have witnessed others who recognized and understood that stealing is a crime. However, getting a pen from the office, a co-worker once told me it is just a small thing which is not of much value. Despite my little sermons, that person insisted that it is just a pen that I’m making much fuss about and added that everybody does it anyway. In my opinion, she was looking for a way to justify herself pointing her fingers on other people and saying there are even worst scenarios going on around that I may not be aware of. Groupthink Since the security of the group is so important, there’s pressure to conform and experience groupthink. Groupthink occurs when a group fixates on one decision and members assume that it must be the correct one, without carefully examining other alternative. The success of a team depends on the team members’ ability to share their thoughts, opinions, and disagreements in an open, honest, direct, and constructive fashion. A very dangerous communication behavior that often develops on teams is groupthink. Group think will lead a team into bad or illogical decision making. Group think happens when one or more team members begin to keep quiet when they have ideas or suggestions that differ from the rest of the team’s thinking. This phenomenon occurs when a team is performing at a high level and the team members are getting along extremely well with one another. A team member may not want to upset the smooth operation of the team, hold up the team’s progress, thinks that they may not have the expertise as the other team members, fears the wrath of the others, or does not want to go against what is the consensus of the team. This is dangerous because it suppresses ideas that may be valuable to the success of the team. While compromise and negotiations are essential when dealing with others, groupthink can have devastating consequences. The crowd mentality can have a person suddenly doing things they would have never done-whether it is loosening values and morals because everyone else is remaining silent. For instance, venturing into a new business, a group I once dealt with yielded to what is popularly known among the investors. This can lead to the failure of the business for the very same reason it has been considered. Since a business is booming and accepted not only by the group of investors but by many other groups, the decision of getting into the business can prove to be disastrous in the future. With most businessmen getting in the same business with the same popular notion, there could be many business people flocking into that prices can get very low, giving poor return of investments. This is the danger I have seen as a business analyst that I have to advise them against such method of considering a new business. It has been a great pleasure for me to be of help to novice business people, giving them advices on how to become successful in their chosen careers. To such a situation, I was given the opportunity to challenge the group to work together for the success of their business. Thus, I advised them that in order to avoid groupthink, team members need to encourage everyone to say what is on his or her mind, even if it conflicts with the general consensus. The team leader should not give all his suggestions at the start of the meeting, paralyzing the group to think of things that they can cointribute. Rather it is advised for the group leader to initiate but not to dictate for him to discover the skills and abilities of his companions. In addition, all ideas should not just come from one person who is considerd to be more intelligent or more experienced because this just kills the possibility of new ideas to be brought up. Communication indeed is so important because it is a part of our everyday lives. However, it would not serve its purpose if what is being said is not understood by the other party. There truly are problems in this process which we try to solve everyday but sometimes, we just get lost in our attempts to be heard and understood. In this event, these theories proved to be very helpful not only in understanding what is wrong but most especially in finding out what needs to done to bridge the gaps in communication. The knowledge of these theories help not only professions in their communications but also affects the layman’s communication skills in hisdaily dealings. Read More